Viva Macau ups Melbourne, drops Sydney

Macau’s popularity in the Melbourne market is continuing to soar, with the territory’s low-cost carrier Viva Macau announcing an additional weekly flight to the Victorian capital from March 28, 2010 to meet growing demand.

The additional Melbourne flight which will take the total to three per week, however, has come at the expense of Sydney, with flights being temporarily suspended altogether from March 28 until the peak season resumes in December.

“We are delighted to be increasing our flights between Melbourne and Macau,” said Viva Macau Airlines CEO Reg McDonald.

“Since we commenced in December our flights have been full. It made commercial sense to put additional flights where there is good demand and support.

“While it is disappointing to suspend flights to Sydney, we will maintain peak season flights and will actively monitor the route for recommencement of year-round services.

“Of course Viva Macau has committed to carrying all passengers that have booked on our Sydney-Macau flights through March 2010 and flights will be available again from December 2010,” McDonald said.

Viva Macau’s flights will depart Melbourne at 9.15am and land in Macau at 5.00pm, while return flights will depart Macau at 8.15pm and arrive in Melbourne at 8.00am the next day.

One-way airfares start from $389 in economy class and $799 in premium class.